Adjustable fastening device particularly adapted for adjustably securing together two ends of a garment



March 20, 1956 2,738,509

P. BAUD ADJUSTABLE FASTENING DEVICE PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR ADJUSTABLY SECURING TOGETHER TWO ENDS OF A GARMENT Filed Sept. 14, 1953 In van/01' ADJUSTABLE FASTENING DEVICE PARTICU- LARLY ADAPTED FOR ADJUSTABLY SE- CURING TOGETHER TWO ENDS OF A GARMENT Paul Bauder, Heubach, Wurttemberg, Germany, assignor to Triumph Bekleidungs u. Textilwerke G. m. b. H., Heubach, Wurttemberg, Germany Application September 14, 1953, Serial No. 380,036

r 2 Claims. or. 2-42 This invention relates generally to fastening devices of adjustable length, and particularly relates to a fastener for removably securing together the two back portions of a brassiere for the purpose of adjusting the width thereof. 'en Among the numerous types of known adjustable fastoners there. exists a preferred fastener where one of the ends of the fastening means, which usually consists of a.

ribbon or tape provided with pockets or loops, open at both ends Whllu the other end of the fastening means in-' cludes a hook open on one side. In order to adjust the brassiere to a wider or narrower width the hook may be selectively engaged with one of the pockets or loops whereby the effective length of the fastening means is adjusted.

However, the known fastening means of this type still have great drawbacks.

In general, their manufacture is not yet sufiiciently' simple for such a mass-production article. Furthermore, in the old fastening means the elasticity of the fastening tape or ribbon is limited, for example by sewing of the loops to non-elastic fabrics, ribbons and the like. Finally, the known fastening means were not satisfactory because thewearer of the brassiere had difiiculties to perform the necessary manipulation forengaging the hook withthe desired. pocket or loop which had to be done on the back of the wearer.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved fastening means, particularly adapted for adjustably securing together the back ends of a brassiere.

A further object of'the invention is to provide an improved adjustable fastener that will avoid one or more of the drawbacks of prior art fasteners.

This is effected in accordance with the present invention by providing a fastener ribbon consisting of two elastic ribbon-like layers which are connected together by weaving in such a manner that weaving edges orlines are created which are suitably spaced apart, extend at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the ribbon and form pockets or loops open at least on one side thereof so that a hook or books may be inserted at will into any one of the pockets.

Such a ribbon may be manufactured very simply and cheaply. It has excellent elasticity along its entire length in spite of the pockets formed therein.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention the lower layer or portion of the ribbon which faces the skin of the wearer of the brassiere is made wider than the upper layer. The lower ribbon layer is disposed with respect to the upper layer in such a manner that both layers are flush along one longitudinal edge while the lower layer forms a projecting portion along the other longitudinal edge of the ribbon. This projecting portion serves as support and guiding surface facilitating the introduction of the fastening hook into one of the pockets.

By using such an arrangement the additional advantage is obtained that the fastening hook may be intro- 2 which guarantees the correct width and the best fit of the brassiere. The projecting portion then prevents in a simple and effective manner a sliding off of the fastening hook and facilitates the introduction of the hook into the selected pocket by spreading apart of the two walls. of the selected pocket.

The invention is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of the fastener ribbon of the invention on enlarged scale;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the ribbon taken on line II-II of Fig. 1; i

Fig. 3- is a plan view of the fastening means of the invention used for fastening a brassiere, one end of the ribbon being secured to the one back portion of the brassiere; and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of another modification of the invention wherein the fastener ribbon is completely removable.

Referring now to the drawing and particularly to Figs.

l and 2, there is illustrated an elastic ribbon or tape which forms part ofthe fastening means. The elastic fastener ribbon is either connected or secured with its one end to one. of the two back portions of the brassiere or is arranged as a separate, removable member. This fastener ribbon is provided with a large number of adjacent pocketlike. or loop-like compartments. Furthermore, there is provided a second fastening means which may, for example, be secured by means of a ribbon loop to the other back portion of the brassiere and which consists of a hook which is open on oneside and which is engageable with one of the pockets.

The portion of the fastening means arranged in accordance with the invention consists of two layers 1 and 2 of an elastic fabric of tape-like or of ribbon-like shape, as is conventional for rubber ribbons used for many purposes.

A ribbon of this type is woven in a manner well known in the art of weaving ribbons in such a way that the upper "layer of the ribbon is securely united with the lower ribbon along straight lines spaced apart one or several centimeters. The individual weaving lines between the two ribbon layers 1 and 2 which eifect such a union of the layers are shown in dotted lines at 3. They extend, as shown for example in Fig. 1, along straight lines which are at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the ribbon. It is feasible to weave the ribbon in such a manner that the weaving lines are hardly visible on the outer surfaces of the ribbon.

As clearly shown in Fig. 2 pockets or loops are formed by the two ribbon layers 1 and 2 which are woven in the manner above described. These pockets may be open on both sides. In some cases, however, it may be sufficient if only one side of each of the pockets is open, while the other side of each pocket may be closed, for example, by a weaving edge extending along the longitudinal direction of the ribbon.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the hook 12 of the fastening means 8 or 8' may selectively be inserted into one of the pockets. When the hook 12 is inserted and a pull is exerted on it, such as occurs naturally when the wearer puts on the brassiere, the inner edge of the hook engages the weaving edge 3 which limits or defines the selected pocket.

As illustrated in Fig. l, the lower ribbon layer 2 which is in contact with the skin when the brassiere is worn and which may be roughed, in a manner not shown, on its outer surface to achieve a padding effect has a larger width than the upper ribbon layer 1. The position of the lower ribbon layer 2 with respect to the upper layer is such that the two ribbon edges are flush alongone longitudinal edge while on the opposite side the lower layer projects manna 3 beyond the upper layer. The projecting portion 4 ofthe lower ribbon layer 2 forms a guiding and supporting surface which facilitates insertion of the hook 12 into one of the pockets: and thus. facilitates considerably" the correct insertion of: the hook.

The hook 12' has a thickened head disposed at. the end of: its free leg which. is. bent along the direction: of thepulling strain; The widthof the upper ribbon layer 1 is chosen so that the free leg of the hoolc. after insertiom into one of the pockets extends beyond the open ing of the pocket. This headhenceacts as. anautomatic lock which: prevents loosening of the fastener because the head is disposed againstvthe. weaving. edge of. the upper ribbon layer'l. in the manner of' a\ locking pawl;v

The fastener of the invention may not only be used for; various purposes: but; may also be utilized in various ways.-

Eig. 3- illustrates by way of: example the utilization of the fastener of the invention as a back fastener'for' a brassiere. Theribbonof. theinvention' is generally-shown at: 6. It is securely.' fastened to the backv portion 7 of the brassiere. 8 generally indicates the fastening means including the hook: 12. A simple elastic 11 is secured to: the other'back portion of the brassiere by sewing and is formedi into a loop and extends through. the: eye 9-of3 the fastening: means 8. The hook 12 which is open on? one side isengaged with or introduced into one of the pockets in the ribbon: 6.

In accordance: with the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4 ,'sh0rtela'stics 13' are'scwed to the two back portions 7" and: 10" of atbrassiere which is only partly shown; The elastics are formed into loops which extend through the eyes of the. fastening means 8' which are thus secured to the: two back portions of the brassiere.

The ribbon fastener 6 is a separate portion of the fastening device which. has a length indicated: in Fig. 4 and which may be simply removed when it is desired to Wash the brassiere; Each of the two hooks 12 of the fastening means 8" may be inserted into one of the pockets depending upon the desired length of the fastening device. Otherwise, the arrangement of the ribbon fastener'fi is identical with that of Figs. 1 or 3.

Since certain changes-may be made in the: above article and different embodiments of the invention could be madewithout departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desired to be secured by Letter Patent, is as follows: I

1. In. a brassiere an adjustable elastic. closure device to be applied to the two brassiere ends and comprising a closure hook composed of a pin having one rounded end and. transiting. with. the other end into a closed eyeportion, an elastic strip connecting said closure hook with an end portion of said brassiere; a superposed" double layer. strip. of an elastic materialv fastened withw its one end to the second rear end portion of said brassiere, the upper and the lower material layer of said double-layer strip being sewed together along parallel cross lines to form adjacent pockets and the lower: material. layer of said: double-layer strip projecting beyond the upper ma? terial' layer and forming, a guide pocket to facilitate the entrance. of'saicL closure hook'pin intov the latter.

2;. In' a brassiere; an adjustable elastic closure device to beapplied: to thetwo brassiere ends and comprisinga closure hook composed of a pin having one; rounded end and transiting'with the other end into a closed eye: portion, arr elastic strip connecting said closure hook withan end portion of said brassiere, a superposed doublelayeristrip of an elastic fabric material and. the upper and the: lower material layer of said double-layer strip being sewed. together along parallel vertical cross lines to form adjacent pockets and the lower material lawer of said double layer' strip projecting beyond the upper material layer and forming a guide pocket to facilitate the entrance! of said closure. hooks into the latter.

References: Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,267,954 Achtrneyer May 28,. 1918 2,115,398" Rosenthal Apr. 26, 1938 2,208,026 Goldenberg July: 16, 1940 2,651,037 Lewis Sept. 8, 1953 2,653,323 Ganim Sept; 29; 1953 2,668,954 Frohlich Feb. 16, 1954 

